System for concurrent mobile two-way data communications and TV reception

ABSTRACT

A low profile mobile in-motion antenna and transmit/receive terminal system for two-way “VSAT” type satellite communication using FSS service, preferably in Ku band, supporting at the same time TV signal reception from the same satellite or a separate DBS satellite located at the same or nearby geo-stationary orbital position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a microwave antenna terminal applicableto two-way mobile in-motion communication systems using geostationarysatellites, and capable of supporting concurrent two-way data transferand satellite TV reception.

2. Description of the Related Art

Existing systems and technologies, which are known in the art providefor the following capabilities:

-   -   VSAT two-way system for fixed service.    -   VSAT two-way transportable systems.    -   Mobile transportable and in-motion low profile receive only        antenna and receiver systems for satellite broadcast TV and data        reception.    -   Phased array antenna technology.    -   Flat array antenna systems.

One disadvantage of existing two-way systems, whether fixed ortransportable, is their considerable height and unattractive appearance,limiting applications and customer appeal for moving platforms. Afurther disadvantage is the inability of existing systems andtechnologies for land based vehicles to provide mobile systems withbroad band two-way data communications, including Internet and telephoneaccess, that would enhance communication capabilities for commercial,recreational and any other mobile-based activities, using a variety ofvehicular transportation in both densely populated and remote locations.Yet another disadvantage is the inability of existing systems andtechnologies to provide mobile systems with a combination of concurrenttwo-way data communications and television reception capabilities forcommercial, recreational and other activities.

As used herein, the term “transportable” refers to systems that may bemoved by vehicles from one place to another, but wherein operation islimited to the case when the vehicle is parked, i.e. stationary.“Mobile” or “in-motion” refers to systems that may be operated while thevehicle is moving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A low profile mobile in-motion antenna and transmit/receive terminalsystem for two-way data type communication using data service atfrequencies in a first frequency band, supporting at the same timeconcurrent TV signal reception of signals broadcast in a secondfrequency band, such communication being with the same satellite or withtwo or more satellites located at the same or close geo-stationaryorbital position. For purposes of the present invention, satellites atsubstantially the same orbital location would be within the beam widthof the mobile in-motion antenna, typically within a range of 0 to 0.3degrees of orbital location.

In particular, the present invention enables and facilitates theapplications of broadband data communications and satellite TV receptionat a wide variety of moving vehicles such as recreational vehicles(RVs), sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, trains,automobiles, boats, and even aircraft. For example, one applicationwould enable passengers in a vehicle to make a wireless “always on”broadband connection to the Internet from a personal computer inside thevehicle at the same time that other passengers are watching satellite TVbroadcasts from, for example, the DirecTV network. This could be done ina consumer vehicle and also in commercial vehicles such as buses andtrains. In that case, passengers could open their laptop computers andperform customary Internet functions such as e-mail and Web browsing.Other passengers could be watching satellite TV.

In another example application, the two-way satellite connection and theGlobal Positioning System (GPS) information included with the inventionsystem, which provides the location of the vehicle, could be interfacedwith the vehicle's telematics system to provide up-to-date downloads ofinformation for navigation, location of local hotels, restaurants, andlocal points of interest. The active two-way communication link couldalso be used to obtain real time emergency assistance where thevehicle's location would be communicated to the emergency assistanceorganization.

For commercial vehicles such as trains, buses and aircraft, the Internetconnectivity enabled by the invention allows provision of wireless “hotspots” covering the inside of the moving vehicle. The satellite TVportion of the system could also be used to distribute programming toindividual seats, if desired.

For commercial trucks, the invention combines vehicle locationinformation and “always on” connectivity that may be used for dispatchand routing by a central authority.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below in detail withreference to the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a communications system with which thepresent invention is employed.

FIG. 2A is a cross section of a first embodiment of a transmit/receivelow profile terminal in accordance with the present invention and FIG.2B is a second embodiment of such terminal having an extremely lowprofile such that the antenna terminal could be integrated within theroof of the vehicle with little or no protrusion above the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates block diagram of the mobile antenna terminal inaccordance with the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the flow of circularly polarizedsignals that are received by the mobile antenna terminal in accordancewith the present invention frequencies.

FIG. 5 illustrates signal flow through the various components on the Rxand Tx sides for both bands, including an illustration of the splittingof received signals.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process performed in theimplementation of the present invention.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of theinvention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The claims alone represent the metes and bounds of the invention. Thediscussed implementations, embodiments and advantages are merelyexemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative,and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

The present invention comprises a terminal system alone or incombination with a low-profile antenna, that is suitable for use with avariety of vehicles, for in-motion satellite communications in supportof concurrent two-way data transfer and satellite broadcast TVreception. With reference to the illustration in FIG. 1 of an exemplarysystem 100 in which the invention may be employed, a mobile vehicle 110has mounted thereon a terminal system 120 that is adapted to communicatesimultaneously with two satellites that are co-located in geostationaryorbit. One satellite 130 is a direct broadcast satellite that providestelevision signals on a downlink at a frequency within a range assignedby an appropriate body, such as the Federal Communication Commission(FCC) in the U.S. or similar agency in Europe or other regions. A secondsatellite 140 is co-located with the first satellite and providestwo-way data communication at uplink and down link frequencies that alsoare assigned by the FCC. As would be clear to one skilled in the art, asingle satellite could provide both the television broadcast and two-waydate communications services, and two or more satellites could besubstantially co-located to provide such services. Effectivecommunication from a single mobile in-motion terminal with multiplesatellites would require the satellites to be within the beam width ofthe terminal antenna. In short, the features of the invention are notlimited by the number of satellites engaged in the communicationservice.

In an exemplary embodiment relevant to the U.S., two-way datacommunications is provided by using one or more satellites in the U.S.Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) frequency band of 11.7-12.2 GHz forreception (downlink or forward link) and 14.0-14.5 GHz for transmit(uplink or return link) and simultaneous TV programs reception in12.2-12.7 GHz Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) or Broadcast SatelliteService (BSS) band from the same or close orbital location. The terminalsystem 120 includes an antenna 125 that is mounted on or into the roofof the vehicle and, preferably, has a low profile form that isattractive for application to mobile platforms, such as cars, sportutility vehicles (SUVs), vans, recreation vehicles (RVs), trains, buses,boats or aircraft. The lower profile facilitates terminal installationdirectly on or into the roof of the mobile platform, keeping the overallaerodynamic properties of the vehicle almost unchanged. The terminalsystem 120 also has a communications subsystem that is operative toprovide the concurrent two-way data and television reception capabilityby appropriately processing the uplink and downlink signals at differentfrequency bands.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment of such a terminal 225, which hasan antenna and related electronics (not shown) contained within an outershell 201 having a low profile, such that the shell 201 can beexternally mounted to the roof 251 of the vehicle 250 with little or noprotrusion above the vehicle. This terminal could employ, for example,the electro-mechanically steered antenna of the type disclosed in thepatent application U.S. Ser. No. 10/752,088 entitled Mobile AntennaSystem for Satellite Communications.” Alternatively, the shell cancontain a flat (or very low thickness) phased array system comprisingone or more relatively thin arrays and using either electro-mechanicalsteering or all electronic steering to track the satellites, such as theelectronically steered antenna of the type disclosed in the patentapplication entitled “Flat Mobile Antenna,” which was filed as a PCTapplication (PCT/BG/04/00011) and designates the U.S. for national stagefiling.

The components within the shell 201 are coupled by cables 202 to aninterior unit 203, which can contain the components necessary for dataand video processing that can be off-loaded in order to reduce theprofile of the shell 201. The interior unit can be coupled by the cables202 to a video display 206 or jack for a computer or other datainterface device. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the system could include awireless two-way connection 204 for coupling to a laptop 205 or similardevice.

Another embodiment comprises an antenna panel (phased array) with fullyelectronic beam steering, along with polarization adjustment, of thetype already mentioned. An extremely low profile of antenna package canbe achieved, allowing antenna terminal integration within the vehicleroof. With reference to FIG. 2B, there is illustrated a cross section ofa vehicle 250 having an antenna 260 that is integrated into the roof 251of the vehicle 250, and is electro-mechanically or electronicallysteerable in both azimuth and elevation. The antenna could either bemounted so that its top is substantially coplanar with the vehicleroofline, requiring the antenna's minimal depth to be accommodatedwithin the space between the roof and the vehicle cabin, or mounted sothat its depth appears as a slight bulge in the roofline. The mountingto a standard vehicle in either case would be achieved by cutting a holein the roof and affixing the antenna into the hole, with appropriateinterior and exterior finishes and gaskets, much in the same manner thatsun roof's are added to standard vehicles. The top surface would have anappropriate coating or covering that would be weatherproof and durable,yet offer minimal interference with the transmission or reception ofsignals to and from a satellite. The steerable antenna would be coupledto internal electronics (not shown), display and data interface orprocessing equipment through wired or wireless connections, in the samemanner as in FIG. 2A.

The proposed low profile antenna terminal meets the above-mentionedobjective, comprising low profile transmit and receive antennas, beamcontrol system, sensors, down and up converters, modems, radio frequency(RF) power amplifiers, and interface with data and TV receivers.

It is clear that similar terminals for different frequency bands, e.g.portions of the bands available in Europe and elsewhere in the world(e.g., 10.7-12.75 GHz for reception and 13.75-14.5 GHz fortransmission), are included within the field of this invention.

Such a system that functions as a low-profile in-motion low-profile VSATand DBS reception system is not presently available.

The low profile transmit and receive antennas comprise one or severalflat antenna arrays, in the form of panels according to a non-limitingexample, each containing a plurality of dual port radiating elements(patches, apertures etc.), passive summation circuits and activecomponents. Each antenna array has two independent outputs each onededicated to one of the two orthogonal linear polarizations. In case ofa multi-array or multi-panel antenna embodiment, signals coming or goingto the different antenna arrays are phased and summed or divided byfinal combining block, with phase and amplitude controlling components.

The signals from the two antenna outputs with two orthogonal linearpolarizations are then processed in polarization control devices inorder to adjust the polarization tilt in case of linear polarization.Such adjustment may be implemented by using the information for antennaterminal position with respect to the selected satellite, received by aGPS device and for the vehicle inclination angle, received, for example,by an inclination sensor. At the same time, receive panel outputs areprocessed for circular polarization in the case of U.S. DBS reception.Another possibility for providing a polarization adjustment is to usethe −3 dB symmetrical points (45 degree tilt) or by checking the antennacross polarization at the hub station.

By one embodiment, the signals coming from the receive antenna outputsare divided and applied to two independent down converters comprisingthe polarization forming circuits and dedicated to reception separatelyin the FSS and DBS/BSS bands. It is convenient to form two orthogonallinear polarizations with adjustable polarization offset for processingthe signals in the FSS band and at the same time two circularpolarizations for processing signals in the DBS/BSS band.

By another embodiment transmit and receive antennas are arranged on thesame rotating platform in order to ensure exact pointing to the selectedsatellite using tracking in receive mode.

It is useful to stack the signals at first intermediate frequency,connected with the two (LH and RH) circular polarizations, coming out ofthe two DBS down converters, and to transfer them to the static platformof the terminal using one and the same rotary joint device.

By another embodiment the signal transfer between static and rotaryplatform is made using a wireless connection (using for example Wi-Fi orBluetooth technology) thereby eliminating the need for a rotary jointfor the continuously rotatable azimuth platform.

By another embodiment the connection between outdoor unit set top boxand the indoor equipment in the vehicle also may be accomplished usingwireless technology (for example Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology)

The beam pointing is accomplished by mechanical rotation in azimuthplane of the platform, comprising transmit and receive antenna panels,and by mechanical, electronic or mixed steering in the elevation plane.In certain cases, beam steering in azimuth and elevation could also beaccomplished by entirely electronic means.

The motors or electronic steering components are controlled by a CPUusing the information, supplied by the direction sensor (such as a“gyro”) and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) blocks.

The preferred application for the invention is a low profile antennaterminal, of the type schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, forin-motion two-way communications and simultaneous TV signal receptionfrom a satellite at the same geo-stationary orbit or, orbits for the FSSand BSS functions.

The terminal 120 consists of a low profile antenna 125, rotatingplatform 11, static platform 13 and indoor unit 14. The rotatingplatform comprises: transmit (Tx) 30 and receive (Rx) 31 sections. Thepreferred shape of the antenna 125 comprises thin arrays, in anon-limiting embodiment flat panels, in order to decrease the overallheight of the overall system. A terminal based on reflectors or lensesis feasible but generally will occupy a larger volume on the vehicle andmay be less attractive.

The antenna array may be a panel constructed using phased array antennatechnology and comprising a plurality of dual port radiating elements(e.g., the antenna panel architecture and technology used are describedin detail in the patent application “Flat Mobile Antenna”PCT/BG/04/00011), designed to work in transmit mode in the 13.75-14.5GHz frequency band, which is incorporated herein by reference.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the transmit section comprises a flatactive antenna array 1, polarization control device 24 up converter unit23. High power amplifiers (HPA) 2 modules are integrated directly toeach one of the array inputs in order to minimize signal losses betweenthe up-converter unit 23 and radiating elements of the array 1. Thetransmit signal formed in the IF/baseband transceiver block 21, whichalso is disposed on rotating platform 11, is up converted in a standardup-converter unit 23 and then transferred through polarization controldevice 24 to the transmit panel inputs. The polarization control unit 24comprises electronic controlled phase controlling devices andattenuators, which are operative to control the amplitude and phase ofthe signals applied to each one of the antenna array inputs (orintegrated with the antenna array/sub array elements). The vertical (V)and horizontal (H) polarized outputs of the polarization control unit 24are connected properly through two independent feed networks to each oneof the two port sets of the dual port radiation elements. Thisarrangement, can effect control of the polarization tilt of thetransmitted linearly polarized signals. Specifically, the requiredpolarization offset can be established, depending on the vehiclelocation with respect to the selected satellite, using the informationfrom a GPS module 18 and possibly an inclination sensor 29. Polarizationtilt information may also be obtained by monitoring the cross polarizedchannels of the satellite.

With reference to the illustration in FIGS. 3 and 5, receive section 31consists of a multi panel receive antenna array, implemented in theexemplary illustrated embodiment by two relatively “large” array 5 andone relatively “small” array 7, all situated on the same rotatingplatform 11 with the transmit array 1. All of the arrays, particularlywhen implemented as panels, are aligned properly to have exactly thesame directions of the main beams, wherein the arrays 5 and 7 have anextended frequency band of operation in order to cover simultaneouslyboth FSS (11.7-12.2 GHz) and DBS (12.2-12.7 GHz) bands, as an examplefor the U.S. operation. Low noise amplifiers (LNAs) 8 are connected tothe each one of the panel's outputs/polarizations in order to compensatefor losses in combining and phasing blocks 20. The elevation angles andthe distances between the receive panels are controlled by the elevationmechanics 12 in order to achieve best performance in the entireelevation scan range. The principles of operation and construction ofsuch type of multi-array or multi-panel antenna receive system aredisclosed in the patent application U.S. Ser. No. 10/752,088 MobileAntenna System for Satellite Communications, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The two combining and phasing blocks 20, each one dedicated to one ofthe two independent linear polarizations (designated as V—vertical andH—horizontal) is operative to properly phase and combine the signalscoming from the antenna panels outputs and to supply H-polarized andV-polarized signals to the polarization control device 9 andpolarization forming device 4. Polarization control device 9 isoperative to control and match the polarization offset of the linearlypolarized FSS signals with respect to the satellite position, using theinformation supplied by GPS module 18 and possibly the inclinationsensor 29. Polarization forming device 4 is operative to form a lefthand circular polarization (LHCP) and a right hand circular polarization(RHCP) in order to process the DBS signals. The RHCP and LHCP signalsare provided to down converter 3, and then forwarded to the receiver 17in the indoor unit 14, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In another embodiment,the DBS receiver could be located with the outdoor terminal equipmentand a digital wired or wireless connection be enabled to the indoorvideo display.

The down converter 10 receives the FSS signals, while the down converter3 receives the DBS signals. In one non-limiting but exemplaryimplementation, a rotary joint 19 is used to supply down convertedsignals coming from the DBS down converter 3 to the indoor unit. Thesignals, which relate to the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH)polarizations, are stacked in frequency using a stacker circuit,integrated into the DBS down converter 3, in order to use one and thesame rotary joint unit 19. The IF signals coring from the FSS downconverter 10 are supplied to the IF/baseband transceiver block 21, whichis connected to the indoor equipment (inside the vehicle). Preferably,the connection is wireless, employing wireless modules 22.

A received signal strength Indicator (RSSI) and recognition module 26and the IF/baseband transceiver block 21 are connected to the FSS downconverter 10 and the up converter 23, and all may be arranged on thesame rotation platform.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a low cost gyro sensor block 6 may be placedon the back of one of the receive panels and will be operative toprovide information about the platform movement to the digital controlunit 32. The digital control unit 32 is operative to control all motors12 for beam steering in azimuth and elevation, polarization controllingdevices 24 and 9, phase combining and phase control blocks 20,comprising interfaces to the gyro sensor block 6, inclination sensor 29and indoor unit 14.

The static platform comprises DC slip rings 15 in order to transfer DCand digital control signals to the rotating platform, static part of theRF rotary joint 19, part of the azimuth movement mechanics, DC powerinjector 25 and the terminal supporting structure, which typically is inthe form of a case.

The indoor unit 14 includes digital and DC power supply interface 16,satellite receiver 17 and power injector 25 in order to supply DC to theoutdoor unit.

In the VSAT system for data communications, a digital interface may beprovided for PC, telephone line, and the like, either on the rotatingplatform or in the vehicle.

The communications terminal as disclosed herein can operate in a mannerthat can provide in-motion mobile communication for direct broadcastsatellite television reception and two-way data communication. Accordingto the method, as illustrated in FIG. 6, at an antenna coupled to amobile terminal mounted on a vehicle in motion (e.g., car, truck, or thelike suitable for carrying a low profile antenna), at least one ofdirect broadcast television signals and data communication signals,which are transmitted by satellite at a location in geostationary orbit,are received (step S1). At the mobile terminal the orbital location ofthe one (or more satellites in substantially the same location, withinthe beam width of the mobile terminal antenna) is identified (step S2),preferably using an RSSI module or similar location identificationtechnique, on the basis of received TV or data signals. Then (step S3),the (preferably low profile) antenna on the terminal is adjusted in atleast one of azimuth and elevation so that it is pointed to the orbitallocation of the satellite(s) while the vehicle is in motion. Finally,data is transmitted to the satellite(s) from the antenna while thevehicle is in motion (step S4). Preferably, the terminal is adapted toconcurrent reception of data and television signals.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present invention. The descriptionof the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and is notintended to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

1. A mobile in-motion terminal system for concurrently communicating byat least one antenna with (1) one satellite disposed at a geostationaryorbital location and providing both TV broadcast and two-way datacommunications and/or (2) at least two satellites located atsubstantially the same geo-stationary orbital position, with onesatellite providing TV broadcast and another satellite providing two-waydata communications, said terminal system comprising: a transmit/receivesystem coupled to said antenna and comprising a transmitter and receiveroperative to provide two-way type data communication using a firstfrequency band with said one satellite, and a receive system coupled tosaid antenna and comprising a receiver operative to receive TV signalsfrom said same or other satellite.
 2. The mobile in-motion terminalsystem of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna adapted forintegration into a roof of a mobile vehicle and beingelectro-mechanically or electronically adjustable in at both azimuth andelevation, said antenna having at least one flat antenna array operativefor at least one of transmission and reception of signals from at leastone satellite.
 3. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 1,further comprising: an antenna mountable on a mobile vehicle and beingadjustable in at least azimuth, said antenna comprising at least onemulti-panel array operative for at least one of transmission andreception of signals from at least one satellite.
 4. The mobilein-motion terminal system of claim 1, further comprising: an antennamountable on a mobile vehicle and being adjustable in at least azimuth,said antenna comprising at least one array for transmit and at least onearray for receive.
 5. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 1,further comprising: an antenna mountable on a mobile vehicle and beingadjustable in azimuth and elevation, said antenna further comprising atleast one phased array antenna panel with electronic beam steering in anelevation plane.
 6. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 1,further comprising: a phase controlling and combining block operative toprovide phasing and summation of the signals coming from a plurality ofantenna array outputs.
 7. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim6, further comprising a polarization control block operative to controland adjust a polarization tilt offset for linearly polarized signalsreception.
 8. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 7, whereinthe said polarization control block comprises at least oneelectronically controlled phase controlling device and at least oneattenuator.
 9. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 7, furthercomprising a polarization forming block operative to form left hand (LH)and right hand (RH) circular polarizations in order to process the TVsignals.
 10. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 7, furthercomprising a plurality of down converters, at least one down converterbeing operative for FSS and a second down converter being operative forDBS signal processing.
 11. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim10, further comprising means for stacking IF signals for differentcircular polarizations, coming from the outputs of said DBS downconverter.
 12. The mobile in-motion terminal system of claim 11, whereinthe IF signal from the output of the said down converter for FSS signalsis transferred to an IF/baseband transceiver block arranged on the samerotating platform.
 13. The mobile in-motion terminal system as recitedin claims 2, 3 and 4, further comprising at least one high poweramplifiers, said amplifier being integrated directly to an input of thetransmit antenna array.
 14. The mobile in-motion terminal system asrecited in claim 13, further comprising a polarization control unitoperative to control linear polarization tilt offset of the signalstransmitted by the said transmit array.
 15. The mobile in-motionterminal system as recited in claim 14, wherein said polarizationcontrol unit comprises at least one electronically controlled phasecontrolling device and at least one attenuator.
 16. The mobile in-motionterminal system as recited in claim 15, further comprising an upconverter, said up converter being connected to an IF/basebandtransceiver, arranged on a same rotating platform.
 17. The mobilein-motion terminal system as recited in one of claims 2, 3 and 4,wherein transmit and receive antenna arrays are disposed on a commonrotating platform, whereby main beams of said arrays may be pointed inthe same direction.
 18. The mobile in-motion terminal system as recitedin claim 17, further comprising a gyro sensor and an RSSI module,wherein transmit antenna tracking is accomplished using the trackinginformation received in a receive mode using said gyro sensor and saidRSSI module.
 19. The mobile in-motion terminal system as recited inclaim 18, further comprising a central control unit, wherein thetransmission mode is allowed by said central control unit only when anacquisition process is completed and a selected satellite is locked by atracking system in receive mode.
 20. The mobile in-motion terminalsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of a Bluetooth orother wireless connection is used between an outdoor set top box of saidterminal and indoor equipment installed in the vehicle.
 21. A method ofproviding in-motion mobile concurrent communication for direct broadcastsatellite television reception and two-way data communication,comprising: receiving at an antenna coupled to a mobile terminal mountedon a vehicle in motion at least one of direct broadcast televisionsignals and data communication signals transmitted by satellite fromsubstantially the same orbital location in geostationary orbit;identifying at said mobile terminal said orbital location; adjusting anantenna in at least one of azimuth and elevation so that it is pointedto said orbital location while said vehicle is in motion; andtransmitting data to said orbital location from said antenna while saidvehicle is in motion.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21, furthercomprising concurrently receiving at said mobile terminal both data anddirect broadcast television signals.